Putney is a residential gem in Southwest London, well known as a place for the affluent, the culturally minded, and for those in hot pursuit of the elusive work/life balance. While anyone who lives here might want to keep it somewhat under their hats, Putney is the place that proves you can have it all - a city life, a family life, health, wellbeing, the arts, and connectivity with nature.
With its proliferation of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, interspersed with elegant 1930s mansion flats and the best examples of contemporary design, Putney offers high-quality living alongside aesthetic integrity. There's a diverse community ranging from young families to working professionals, with many people choosing to remain here for the different phases of their life once they've discovered its merits.
A place peppered with historic intrigue, outdoor beauty, and cultural quirks every corner has a story to tell. So, what can you expect from life in Putney? Here's a little insider knowledge from the Chestertons team.

On another note, Mary Wollstonecraft - the pioneering feminist and mother of Frankenstein-author, Mary Shelley - survived a suicide attempt by jumping off Putney Bridge in 1795. Duran Duran lead singer, Simon Le Bon; Queen bassist, John Deacon; actors Pierce Brosnan and Jack Whitehall; and Prime Minister Clement Attlee have also lived here. One way or another, you're in good and illustrious (sometimes infamous) company.
Last, but not least, The Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race began here in 1845 and still starts in Putney each year, with the Putney Town Rowing Club, remaining a central part of the community.

Putney is not just politically and socially interesting, but geographically important too. The eponymous bridge linking London’s south bank to the north bank was the first Thames crossing outside central London. Initially a wooden toll bridge, it was built in 1729 (although has since been replaced with a newer structure), and is the only bridge in Britain to have churches at both ends - St. Mary’s and All Saints'. Prior to its construction, the only way across the water was by ferry, or, on especially cold days, you might adventure across the ice.

Today, Putney might seem simply like a beautiful part of London in which to live, but it's still a hive of activity as well. Of particular interest is the Brazilian Naval Commission in Europe (BNCE), which has been located on Upper Richmond Road since 1971. The primary procurement hub for acquiring naval equipment, weapons, and technology across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania enjoys what most residents like in this area - a discreet location in a place that offers accessibility to London's vibrant centre, as well as national and international connections.

As the starting point of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, it's fitting that life in Putney offers a world of leisure opportunities, from sports to spaces to sit and watch the world go by, much of which includes interactions with the river.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it remains a centre for rowing clubs in London, with the London Rowing Club, Putney Town Rowing Club, Vesta Rowing Club, and Thames Rowing Club all in the local area. If rowing isn't your thing, however, other water sports are encouraged for all ages, including kayaking and canoeing or stand up paddle boarding.
If you're more of a land lover, then there's no shortage of things to do either. Putney Lawn Tennis Club has been a centre of the community since 1879, The Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields are complete with 10 full-size football pitches, rugby facilities (home to London Cornish), and space fit to have hosted the UK Ultimate Frisbee Championships.
Of course, the Putney Leisure Centre also deserves a mention for its gym, swimming pool, fitness classes and sports facilities.

Where most areas require a degree of compromise, Putney is very much the place that has it all, which is part of the reason it's so popular. When it comes to local amenities, that means it's got the ideal combination of nice-to-haves, need-to-haves, and didn't-know-I-wanted-to-haves.
The riverside lifestyle is a core part of the area's appeal. Leafy locations including Putney Heath, Putney Common, Wandsworth Park, and the London Wetlands Centre make it a pretty and relaxing place to live, exercise, walk the dog, and spend time with friends and family.
Those who enjoy a stroll or a jog are particular fans of The Thames Path, the long-distance trail from the Cotswolds to the centre of London. It runs through Putney towards Richmond, taking in Syon Park, Syon House, and The Old Deer Park to Richmond Lock.

Cafes and restaurants in Putney ooze authenticity, with independent establishments peppering the high street and pretty quiet corners.
Chief amongst them, if you ask us, is Gazette - a French eatery that epitomises Gallic charm, from the superb food to the characteristic French je ne sais quoi. It makes you feel as though you've stepped into Paris. The Coat and Badge is just a five-minute walk from Putney Station and offers classic pub fare - it is well-known as the place to watch sports with an unmatched game day atmosphere.
The Jolly Gardeners is a firm favourite for lazy lunches at the weekend, as well as watching the Six Nations; East Putney Tavern serves up a popular Sunday roast; and Coppa Club sits on the riverfront offering space to work and play, whether you pop in for a cocktail or coffee, or book a private igloo on the terrace.
The Jolly Gardeners is a firm favourite for lazy lunches at the weekend, as well as watching the Six Nations; East Putney Tavern serves up a popular Sunday roast; and Coppa Club sits on the riverfront offering space to work and play, whether you pop in for a cocktail or coffee, or book a private igloo on the terrace.
From fashion to pharmacies, Putney has a broad selection of shopping opportunities whether you're in the market for practical paraphernalia or a little retail therapy.
For everything in one place, the Putney Exchange Shopping Centre on Putney High Street is a one-stop-shop (so to speak) for independent stores and high street favourites. From Waitrose and Boots to Accessorize and H&M, you can pop out for life's essentials as well as gifts and indulgent joys.
For a more leisurely pace, St Mary's Church Square hosts regular markets, including art, design, antique, vintage, and street food stalls. A favourite feature is when award-winning farmers and producers bring their wares to Putney High Street every Saturday.

Don't let the outdoorsy lifestyle available in Putney fool you - this is also a place for indoor entertainment, conviviality and weekend celebrations.
For culture vultures, the Putney Arts Theatre offers local productions and workshops, and The Hurlingham Library is a marvel for bookworms - possibly the oldest independent bookshop in South West London. Meanwhile, art lovers will delight in Putney Sculpture Trail by Alan Thornhill - a permanent installation of nine large sculptures along the River Thames covering a 1.5 mile riverside walk, with plenty of cafes and restaurants en-route.
Amongst the area's many pubs, choose your favourite, whether it's The Boathouse (offering waterside views and the periodic pub quiz), the Duke's Head, or the Spotted Horse.
Then again, perhaps a night out is on the cards. The Half Moon pub is famous for hosting live music and comedy, and Le Fez is the place for a Moroccan-themed evening of DJs and dancing. Then again, you might prefer Putney Pies, which offers the unique distinction of parties, DJ sets, dancing, and happy hours alongside a restaurant area that's famous for its classic, pastry-laden pies.

Healthcare in Putney is readily available and serves the local community, whether you're looking for NHS services or private health.
There are multiple NHS GP practices, including Putneymead Group Medical Practice, Chartfield Surgery and Rainbow Practice, and the community is also served by Wandsworth District Nurses.
For private healthcare, there's the London Wandsworth Bupa Health Centre, Nuffield Health has a GP service at Parkside Hospital in nearby Wimbledon, and The Private GP Group has a clinic in Richmond.
The main NHS hospital serving Putney is Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton, which includes a minor injuries unit, while St George's Hospital in Tooting is the closest A&E, and Kingston Hospital is also used by local residents.
For private hospital care, you can also opt to go to Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital, Bupa has a facility at the Cromwell Hospital in Kensington, or you can travel to Weymouth Street Hospital, which is between Harley Street and Marylebone High Street.
Putney is also home to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN), which is an independent charity offering expert care for complex neurological conditions.

Putney is home to a wide range of dentists, with many clinics offering NHS as well as private care. For example, there's The Dentist Putney, Putney Dental & Implant Centre, Perfect Smile, Riverside Dental Practice, the Dental Emporium, Putney Hill Dental Practice, and Bupa Dental Care Putney - to name a few.

Education in Putney is considered some of the best in London, from top-performing state schools to prestigious private schools and higher education.
State primary schools have a particularly strong reputation, with Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School, St Mary's CofE Primary School, All Saints' CofE Primary School, Hotham Primary School, and Brandlehow Primary School all noted for their academic performance and community atmosphere.
Meanwhile, independent primary schools in the area and nearby offer education from ages three to 11 years, including Prospect House School, Putney High School, and Wandsworth Preparatory School.

There's no shortage of secondary schools in the area either. State secondary schools in and around Putney include Ark Putney Academy and Ashcroft Technology Academy (one of the highest-performing state secondaries in the borough).
For those seeking private education, there's Putney High School, which is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, while Hurlingham School and Prospect House School are both coeducational.
Putney attracts those wishing to pursue higher education as well. The University of Roehampton has featured highly in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings; South Thames College in Wandsworth offers vocational higher education; and Putney School of Art and Design is a popular art college for a variety of courses. Furthermore, Putney is within easy reach of London's many highly acclaimed schools and universities.

Putney's convenient location is one of its major attractions for those with busy and inspiring careers but who are also in hot pursuit of wellbeing and happy family lives. Just seven miles from central London, it takes a mere 40 minutes by train to get to Westminster, and it also offers convenient national and international transport links.
London is an eminently walkable city as a whole, and Putney is a particularly charming part of town to walk and cycle in. The Thames Path is a popular walking route along the river, while multiple cycle routes, including Quietway Route 8, connect it to surrounding areas.
Anywhere in London, travelling by train is one of the most convenient ways to get around and Putney is no exception. Putney Station is served by National Rail, with direct trains to Waterloo, as well as connections to Clapham Junction, Richmond, and Wimbledon.
The District Line offers London Underground services from East Putney and Putney Bridge stations, with links directly to locations including South Kensington, Victoria, and Embankment.

Putney is an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), so drivers need to make sure that their vehicles comply with legislation. There is restricted parking in the area, and like any part of London the roads do get busy. However, plenty of properties come with parking and resident parking permits are available.
Putney offers numerous bus routes across London, notably from Fulham and Putney Bridge, and connecting to areas such as Wandsworth, Hammersmith, and Clapham.
One of the most popular ways to turn travel into an experience going to and from Putney is to hop on the River Bus, with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operating from Putney Pier.
London Heathrow is the most accessible airport from Putney. Traffic dependent, it's around 40-minutes away by car or taxi, or you can take the District Line to central London and connect to the Piccadilly line which goes straight to Heathrow Terminal 5 Underground Station via Heathrow Terminals 1-2-3 Underground Station.

Putney has been earning its place on the map for centuries, with settlements dating to before the Romans, and the area making an appearance in the 1086 Domesday Book as ‘Putelei’ or ‘Putenhie’ - aka, the 'landing place where hawks are seen'.
It's fitting, therefore, that it's an area that still does a lot to accommodate its wilder inhabitants, with Wimbledon and Putney Commons, including Putney Heath and Putney Lower Common, constituting a 1,140-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), renowned for its rich, biodiverse, and ancient habitats.
Its intrigue doesn't stop there, however, alongside the birds and the bees, this is a place that's been home to the movers and shakers of the world, with famous names from politics to literature being born, raised, or having some of their most outrageous moments in our midst.
Perhaps one of the most famous residents was Henry VIII's chief minister, Thomas Cromwell, who was born here around 1485. His presence could only be rivalled by that of the notorious Oliver Cromwell, whose New Model Army led the The Putney Debates in 1647 - a landmark moment where civilians and soldiers alike held controversial discussions, arguing with those in power about the future of England. Should there be a king? Should there be a universal right to vote? Would democracy lead to anarchy? The road to civil liberties can be mapped back to this pretty part of London.
